Shopsmith Forums

I have come to the conclusion that my efforts in making a bottle stopper SUCKS using the dyed laminated plywood blocks. I finally got a descent shape only to have the threads pull when I removed the stopper from the mandrel.I am a beginner in lathe turning, so I am sure my skills aren't as great, but I've tried both drill sizes from Ruth and can not achieve success. Now the next move to to try to turn REAL solid wood and see where I end up at. If you never hear from me again, it might mean I've fallen on the sword.
Danny

Before I turned my second weed pot tonight I turned one of those plywood stacked blanks. I had no problems. I used Ruth's mandrel to thread it and it seemed to work fine.

One thing that did come to mind is drilling about an 1/8"- 3/16" deeper then the length of the mandrel screw. You need that extra room for wood bits that come off during the threading. If you have no place for them then you will strip the threads when installing the mandrel.

So here is my newest bottle stopper:
Ed

I might have to take up drinking just to make a few of those!!

Hobbyman2

Thanks ED for the advice. What size drill are you using? I'm using the 5/16 that came with the mandrel. I'll drill a little deeper and see if that helps. It is driving me CRAZY.
Danny

Hobbyman2 wrote:I might have to take up drinking just to make a few of those!!

Hobbyman2

If you drink you dont need a bottle stopper, the bottle is empty at the end of the night!!!!! Ya cantsay, I drink all day, if you dont start first thing in the morning!!!

If you are going to "drink all day", PLEASE do not do it in the shop.

dusty wrote:If you are going to "drink all day", PLEASE do not do it in the shop.

Dusty the shop is my man cave also away from mom, I have not done any wood working since this fall, even though it is a balmy 58* in here, and 34* out side. It was kinda a joke. Thanks for the concern though.
That Mr Heater Big Buddy propane heater has been great, I have run 37, 20lb bottles through it and the fan on for all that time, and it is just great.

LOL drinking at my age?? ,,,, I would probably just fall asleep ..

Old age ain't for sissies ..@!!!

Haven't been in the garage for a while either ,, I wont use the saw with pain the meds I am on.

That and torn muscles in the shoulder wont allow me to do any lifting.

A couple more weeks and the healing begins. again.

By fall I should be god to go .

Hobbyman2

dannyshamoon wrote:Thanks ED for the advice. What size drill are you using? I'm using the 5/16 that came with the mandrel. I'll drill a little deeper and see if that helps. It is driving me CRAZY.
Danny

I came across this video today that might help with the threading issue. Take a look and see if there is anything you can do differently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-ssmPINW3k

Ed

reible wrote:

dannyshamoon wrote:Thanks ED for the advice. What size drill are you using? I'm using the 5/16 that came with the mandrel. I'll drill a little deeper and see if that helps. It is driving me CRAZY.
Danny

I came across this video today that might help with the threading issue. Take a look and see if there is anything you can do differently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-ssmPINW3k

Ed

Ed.... THANKS... That was most informational. I now understand that the laminated plywood is more difficult to thread because of it being soft. I REALLY appreciate the help and advice.
Danny